Chinese track beauty wins two competitions in Japan after makeup controversy

After being criticized for wearing heavy makeup and a sexy outfit when finishing last at both Diamond League events in China, Wu achieved success in Japan.

At the 2024 Kinami Michitaka on May 12, the Chinese athlete finished the qualifying round in 12.91 seconds and then finished first in the final with 12.86 seconds.

She won her first outdoor title of the season and set the best performance of an Asian athlete in the women's 100m hurdles in 2024.

Wu continued to improve her performance in Tokyo on May 19, winning the 2024 Seiko Golden Grand Prix in 12.80 seconds.

Wu Yanni is considered a Chinese track beauty with a striking appearance and immense talent. Photo taken from Sohu

Wu is in great form, winning two consecutive Japanese championships and running under 13 seconds three times in just seven days.

Finishing second at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix was Japanese athlete Yumi Tanaka with 12.90 seconds, while the bronze medal went to the athlete who broke the Japanese national record Mako Fukube with 13 seconds.

According to the latest announcement of the World Athletics, Wu's average performance over the 10 fastest 100m hurdles run of her career was 12.884 seconds.

Thanks to that, she surpassed Mako Fukube (12.9 seconds) and became the Asian athlete with the best performance in history. Placing below Fukube was Asian Games champion Lin Yuwei (12.925 seconds), who broke the 13-second mark seven times in her career.

The average performance over the 10 best runs is a measure of an athlete's level and ability to maintain stable performance.

In terms of personal best, Wu clocked 12.76 seconds in Chengdu in 2023, which is the 11th best result in history for an Asian athlete in the women's 100m hurdles.

The Asian athlete with the best result at this distance is still Olga Shishigina of Kazakhstan with 12.44 achieved in June 1995. The world record belongs to Oluwatobiloba Amusan of Nigeria with 12.12 seconds, set in 2022.

Wu, 26, born in Sichuan, began her hurdles career in Neijiang before moving to Beijing Sports University.

She has been dubbed "China’s athletics goddess" and became famous on social media thanks to her outgoing personality and multiple tattoos, which she, and her fans, believe symbolize her confidence.